Given the massive variety of shapes, colours and types of lures on offer, it’s not surprising that novice predator anglers can sometimes get confused. But once you understand the main characteristics of different patterns, lure fishing is actually not that complicated at all. Many of the types are simply a different tackle company’s take on a similar theme.
The real sticking point with lures can be that what may work brilliantly one day may not work anywhere near as well the next. Light levels, temperature, water clarity, depth and maybe even atmospheric pressure can all affect how predators react to a pattern, type or colour.
This is one of the reasons that pike anglers collect so many ‘artificials’, just like squirrels gather nuts. Or it may just be that they are attracted to these shiny lumps of wood and plastic almost as much as the fish!
To give you a bit of a head start, here’s our guide to nine variants of lure anatomy – three heads, three bodies and three different tails...
Hard Lures
One of the most popular patterns, and very easy to fish with. The size and angle of the diving lip dictate how deep you are able to work the lure. A long-lipped version – like this Rapala Max Rap Fat Minnow – will dive to around 3m if cranked hard enough.
Jointed-bodied lures are realistic. Thanks to the articulated profile, they swim with a snaking action, throwing out loads of vibrations and goading predators into striking. Most have one joint, but this Savage Gear 4Play lure has three.
Because predators take a bait from behind and below, a hook covering of coloured foil or a feather can elicit a more aggressive reaction, especially when targeting perch. Patterns like these Rapala X-Rap Slashbaits offer this feature.
ONE OF THE BEST LURE RODS WILL IMPROVE THE ACTION YOU CAN IMPART ONTO YOUR LURES.
Soft plastics
The Rapala Shad Rap Magnum is very popular. The stepped nose cone means they will only dive to around 1m, ideal if the water is shallow, or snaggy. The stepped nose produces a lazy to tight wobbling action, depending on the speed of the retrieve.
With a lifelike action, rubber-bodied lures like this Fox Rage Replicant Wobble encourage predators to hold on to the soft body for longer. They usually have just a single hook coming out of the top, so they can be fished through weed or snags.
Curly tails, like those of this Eco Gear Para Max, are less popular than the standard flat-tailed shad, yet offer loads of fish-attracting vibration. The difference is that the curly tails produce a more subtle vibration and action, while the turning tail appeals visually.
PAIR YOUR LURE ROD UP WITH ONE OF THE BEST SPINNING REELS TO ENHANCE YOUR LURE FISHING.
Extra features
Lures with concave heads are fished on the surface, where the nose will pop and gurgle. The amount of water they displace causes a mass of vibration, regardless of the speed of the retrieve. They’re great fished around reeds and lilies, or close to structures.
Really popular with zander anglers, lures featuring internal rattles and ball-bearings kick out bucketloads of noise and vibration. In coloured water, this type of lure can make all the difference between a bite and a blank.
Rubber paddle tails are excellent at deflecting water when retrieved, because they wobble violently, throwing out lots of vibration. The broad, flat tail of this Fox Rage Pro Shad gives it a distinct action. Fish it from the bank, or troll it slowly behind a boat.
IF YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT SOME GREAT LURES, OUR BUYER'S GUIDE HAS SOME OF THE BEST TO CHOOSE FROM.
